The European sovereign debt crisis during 2010-2011 Essay

The European sovereign debt crisis during 2010-2011 - Essay Example Historically, when a sovereign nation’s governmental debt exceeds the annual GDP of the country, the risk increases proportionately that the country will default on all or a portion of the debt requirements, particularly in the circumstances where the debt instruments are held by foreigners or in another currency than the national coin. The ability of sovereign nations to generally print money without formal external control is well established and the example of Zimbabwe is an extreme example of this, but the United States has also reached a debt level that is over $15.5 trillion USD or near 100% of the annual GDP outlook, while the economy is also declining and recessionary,. The U.S. Federal Reserve may also print money to bailout banks in the U.S. and abroad, as it has done following the Lehman bankruptcy, but the Eurozone situation is more complex. Nations like Greece now have their debt valued in Euros rather than Drachma and the sovereign is no longer able to print mone y, deflate the currency, and cover government debts in the manner of the U.S. central bank. Instead, it appears as if Greece will either default or be bailed out by other Eurozone members, while Wall Street and stock markets around the world react daily to these events and news stories as they herald serious consequences for the international economy that is interconnected during the era of globalization. Political Dynamics of the Eurozone Economy The Eurozone is a political experiment that involves a common currency (the Euro) and a number of sovereign nations that retain their political autonomy in budgetary and domestic affairs while moving together towards ever greater unity in government on the supra-national level. This dichotomy has led to the nations of the Eurozone abandoning their national currencies, but still operating domestically with differing levels of economic production, taxation, social expenditures, and national debt levels. The U.K. and Switzerland remain outsid e of the Eurozone and under their own traditional currencies, the Pound and Swiss Franc. Germany, France, and other Northern European nations are generally seen as being economically stronger than the Southern European countries, with the acronym â€Å"PIGS† being used for the countries Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain with the worst economic outlook, budgetary problems, and largest national debt requirements in comparison to GDP. Ireland has been considered a part of this group by some (PIIGS), as the country experienced generally the same problems in an overheated banking, real estate, and finance sector which formed a bubble and popped, leaving the taxpayers and national government responsible for the bailout. Yet, while Ireland and Iceland have already crashed previously before the 2008-2009 meltdown in their national economies due to the problems in financial regulation and overextension of risk taking via leverage in investment banking, the

Serving in Florida Essay Example for Free

Serving in Florida Essay She admires her, educated tongue, her graceful walk, her ability to swoon a listener when she reads, her success, her communication skills where she skillfully varies the way to she talks to depending on who she is talking to. 3. She is ashamed because she fails to use the proper verb and verbiage which in her eyes is disrespectful. When they talk with each other it is if they were paternal sisters separated only by education. 4. Their first meeting was not only at Mrs. Flowers house but that this meeting was filled with aromas of freshly cooked food (tea cookies), the cold taste of lemonade on the palate and an atmosphere laden and rich in success. â€Å"It was the equivalent of attending church â€Å" and attending church made her feel comfortable and so did Mrs. Flowers. This all influenced her because she learned that the person she liked, â€Å" liked â€Å" also liked her and this impressed her, and that coupled with all of the physical senses she now felt the emotional ones as well. And this would develop her into her mentors â€Å"way† of life. Answer to questions 1-4 in the Close Reading and #2 in the Writers Craft. 1. Para. 4 The aftermath of an historical hurricane†¦. †the smell of a dead city†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦para. 6 †this new urban landscape†. 2. Urban floodplain depicts the initial encounter to what the author sees and of which is just the surface of what to come in the latter part of the essay and segways into the â€Å" Life after Katrina â€Å". 3. In â€Å" Starting Again â€Å" he depicts how the most basic necessities are being established and provided to re-ignite and revive the once normal daily activities by way of the Salvation Army bringing primordial needs to the workers who will then bring back residents which then bring back the businesses and so on. He includes this because he notes that after destruction comes the re-building†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Still, destruction on a biblical scale also offers Noah-like opportunities for restoration after the flood â€Å". 4. I would define it as a person who possesses this â€Å" eco-geek† title as someone who is ecologically friendly, and an environmentalist who is also a tech-savvy academic in the intellect society of foremost thinkers. Writer’s Craft. #2. â€Å" I get out of my car, half suspecting the sweet, rotting smell of death† , â€Å" the main sewage plant†, â€Å"reeking of mold and rotted cat food†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. He brings clarity and vividness which brings sympathy and association to the five senses to which the reader can identify with.

The Rich Diversity of Meanings of the Pardoners Tale Essay -- Pardone

The Rich Diversity of Meanings of the Pardoner's Tale Chaucer’s innovation in the Pardoner’s performance tests our concept of dramatic irony by suggesting information regarding the Pardoner’s sexuality, gender identity, and spirituality, major categories in the politics of identity, without confirming that information. Our presumed understanding of the Pardoner as a character lacks substantiation. As we learn about the Pardoner through the narrator’s eyes and ears, we look to fit the "noble ecclesiaste" (l. 708) into the figure shaped by our own prejudices and perceptions, as any active reader must do. But the Pardoner, ever aware of his audience, does not offer clear clues to his personality. This break between what the other characters say about the Pardoner and what the Pardoner says about himself has been a major source of tension for all readers of the Tales and especially critics who search for substantiation of their views beyond the Chaucer’s own language. The general tone of the Canterbury Tal es is comic. After all, the pilgrims are traveling to the shrine St. Thomas Beckett in a public act of holy reverence, but the Tales take a darker turn when the Pardoner is brought to the foreground. The whole Canterbury Tales is a collected set of performances, stories told about telling stories. As Joseph Ganim has written, theatricality, by which he means "a governing sense of performance, an interplay among the author’s voice, his fictional characters, and his immediate audience," is "a paradigm for the Chaucerian poetic" (5). This paper shall endeavor to show that the major effect of the Pardoner’s presence in the Tales is to focus the reader’s attention to questions of performance and performativity, literary perception, ... ...University of California Press, 1988. Lochrie, Karma; McCracken, Peggy; Schultz, James A. Editors. Constructing Medieval Sexuality. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press, 1997. McAlpine, Monica E. â€Å"The Pardoner’s Homosexuality and How It Matters.† Geoffrey Chaucer’s The General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales. Ed. by Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1988. pp. 103-124. Nevo, Ruth. â€Å"Chaucer: Motive and Mask in the General Prologue.† Geoffrey Chaucer’s The General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales. Ed. by Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1988. pp. 9-20. Ross, Thomas W. Chaucer’s Bawdy. New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., Inc., 1972. Sedgewick, G. G. â€Å"The Progress of Chaucer’s Pardoner, 1880-1940.† Chaucer: Modern Essays in Criticism. Ed. by Edward Wagnknecht. New York: Oxford University Press, 1959. pp. 126-158.

The Management Style at Cadbury Essay -- Business and Management Studi

A description of the management style used at Cadbury There are three main management styles that a business can have these are:  · Democratic  · Consultative  · Autocratic  · Laissez-faire Cadbury’s management style is democratic. This is when all members of staff work together as a team. The managers listen to the other employees ideas and suggestions before they go ahead with decisions. If ideas are found to be achievable and successful by the senior group, then it is taken forward. Then as a team they reach a decision. The approach of this style is that they care and listen to everyone in the teams view and what they think not just their own. This style can be used in both large and small groups. It would work well in a large motivated groups because they can come to a decision a lot quicker, but in a smaller group they can fail with coming up with a decision amongst themselves and will need real guidance and direction. If a decision cannot be made then a vote will take place and the out come will be the one with the most votes. This management style is good for Cadbury because it motivates workers; with having power and decision-making and through this it allows them to be involved in the business. The ways in which Cadbury shows that they are a democratic style is:  · An example is when they come to the idea of developing a new product. The then consult production, then marketing, then finance, have a meeting with everyone concern or who has/wants a say, the product then goes into production and management then makes the final decision.  · They also had to discuss whether it was a good idea to fill the vending machines in the U.S.A with their products. The majority of the employees decided on this that it would be a good idea, so they went ahead, and in the end they beat the other competitors.  · When Cadbury’s World was being developed they would have to decide on the structure of it, what should and shouldn’t be included, the facilities that will be offer and much more important information. All the members of Cadburys would have the opportunities to give their views of the ideas. Within a consultative management, which is similar to the democratic, approach instead of discussions with the group and coming up with the decision together the managers so it themselves. This approach ... ...sation and very low morale. It relies on the power or personality of the owner or directors who all the key decisions this can end up being a problem if these people change. the people that are consider to work well in this culture are like-minded to help with the approach of the running of the organisation. The structure tends to be loose and informal, it tends to be organised by functions Role culture this offers logic, reality and security. It can also get very frustrating when trying to get a job done. It has a formal structure, which is hierarchical. This organisation’s jobs can be done by many people, even though the limits of the jobs are strictly controlled. The job or role can been seen to be more important then the people. Person Culture this organisation exists to serve the people in it. It is aimed to satisfy and motivate them. The style that this organisation works to is that the people are more important than the actual organisation. This style works best in reality because it is a small, informal flat organisation. It is found mostly in professional organisations such as management consultancy where each consultant works on individual projects.

Impacts of Electronic Media Essay

Nowadays, the terms â€Å"communication systems† are explicitly used to mean electronic communication systems. Because, Electronic communication systems has grabbed the Lion’s share of our regular means of communication. Radio, Digital TV, Mobile, Internet has made our life faster & easier & this never ending process is just always on its way to improvement. The Internet is the most dramatic and widespread application of electronics and communication technology of recent years. We can’t even think of a day without social media like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn etc. Google has become our best friend to find out the things we are looking for. Tutorials of YouTube are available anytime, anywhere for learning anything within a very short time that we don’t know. All of those that have been mentioned so far can be categorized as blessings of electronic communication systems. There are many reasons why the Internet is controversial. The problem with the Internet is the fact that anyone can access just about anything they want to from it. The thing is right now cyber-space has no real laws that limit the actual access we have on the internet. For example, pornography is a big issue because children are accessing adult content so easily without anyone having to know about it. Another issue is that there is so much obscenity and violence that goes on inside online chat rooms, and the most frightening part about it is that it is so easy for someone to trick another person with their age and get you to meet up with them. So, taking all of these into count, censorship of electronic communication systems is a necessity of time. Censorship means the change in the access status of material or materials, made by a governing authority or its representatives.  Such changes include: exclusion, restriction, removal, or age/grade level changes. Censorship of communication systems may include the examination and blocking of books, periodicals, plays, films, television and radio programs, news reports, and other communication media that is shown to, or available, to the public. Media censorship is sometimes put into place because content is immoral or obscene, heretical or blasphemous, seditious or treasonable, or injurious to the national security. It is supposedly is used for the protection of the family and the state. Additionally some religious groups, opposed to the violence shown in different types of media, say censorship works. However, still more that believe in civil rights believe that it is an unnecessary violation of the right to freedom of speech for all humans. Censorship of the media for children is necessary, but should not be handled by government or other groups. Instead it should be directed and controlled by parents with or without children. If the government were to bring censorship, adults would not see the programs, news, reports etc in their area or around the world. For this to be avoided, the government must leave censorship to parents. To facilitate parent’s exercise of viewing censorship for their children, proper measures should be undertaken accordingly. Censorship is the keystone of the public’s apparent outcry against the electronic media. Even though there are millions and millions of viewers in all over the world that watch the networks can and should the networks be responsible for what they put on the air? Yes, they really should have some sort of morals as to the nature of the content and at what time the program airs as well. Children at a vulnerable age should not be exposed to violent acts. Because, it will affect the child’s behavior and mental growth. In a 1970, study at Pennsylvania State University, psychologist Aletha Huston showed cartoons of fists fighting superheroes to one group of four year old and nonviolent cartoons to another group. The children of the study were comprised of children that were aggressive in nature. The study found that the group that was shone the violent cartoons were more apt to hit and throw things. While the kids who watched the nonviolent cartoons remained relatively calm and docile. It was concluded that children that watch violent cartoons are more apt to commit crimes when they are adults, such as spousal abuse and drunk driving. Children might think it is okay to rob a bank, shoot someone or commit other violent crimes against another person. Also as the child grows older, he begins to believe that revenge through violence, as demonstrated on such shows as New York Undercover and NYPD Blue where people get revenge by breaking other peoples’ noses, shooting them or committing hit and runs, is okay. In other words, a false impression of reality is formed for children. We have found out that cartoons are the most violent programming found to date in television today. Between the ages of two and twelve, the average amount of television watched is approximately 25 hours per week. Most of these 25 hours are comprised of cartoons. Cartoons like Tom and Jerry, where they either get hurt or blown up, and never die and always get back together, without a scratch. Again, this promotes a false sense of reality. Nowadays, there are products out, such as the â€Å"V box†. This box is programmable by a parent to block out certain channels at certain times so that the child will not be exposed to violence on television at certain times of the day. On the other hand, networks should not be responsible for what they air. On the other hand, networks should not be responsible for what they air. In their business, the network with the highest ratings wins. Which in turn means more capital for the network. Why would a parent use television as both a babysitter and an educational outlet? Television is for entertainment purposes only. Much of the information from today’s television programming is purely fictional. And if people decide to imitate what they see on television, then so be it. Everyone in this society has the right to either lay down in the middle of a highway and die or not to or live a happy and prosperous life as demonstrated after teenager saw the movie The Program. Why should it be the responsibility of the network to change all of its programming because one person decided to do a stupid act? According to a survey conducted by Aletha Huston in 1970, she stated that all violent nature from children is linked to television. But a major flaw was found. Leonard Eron of University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research stated that, â€Å"no one is saying that all violence is inspired by television and not all homes have a moral compass. † As long as there are individuals that want networks to be responsible, should networks also restrict what they put on the air? â€Å"Long ago jurists decided free speech did not protect the right to shout fire in a crowded theater. A small child could mistakenly turn on the television and watch shows such as MTV’s Beavis and Butthead and imitate what they see. One perfect example is after watching Beavis and Butthead, Austin Meissner, a five year old, decided to take a lighter from his mother’s dresser and decided to set his house on fire. By doing this, he unwittingly killed his sister, who was only two. Austin’s mother demanded that the show be taken off the air. After watching these shows most young children cannot discern what is real and what is make believe and start to imitate what they have een. Doctor Prothrow-Stith of Harvard School of Public health stated that â€Å"I’ve come to see that more and more we use the media to teach children that violence is a way of life. We also present violence not just as a natural thing, as funny and entertaining. Children begin to learn this lesson from their first cartoons and superheroes, before moving on to the high tech-violence of action movies for adults. By the time they are teenager using violence to resolve conflict seems very natural to them. Having a thorough discussion on that side, we can never neglect the positive side of electronic communication systems specially it’s impact in the day-to-day life of students. Internet is the biggest source of all aspects. Internet covers the world happenings every day. Internet includes a variety of current issues and developments about the world. One of the benefits is internet gives lots of information to us. Students could even use the internet as a replacement of textbooks and reference books as it contains an endless source of knowledge. Students can also check the latest scientific knowledge and research. Scientist nowadays have been experimenting and discovering a lot of intriguing and new things. This type of stream is very suitable for students who are interested to further their studies in science stream. Furthermore, internet facilitate students to enter universities. This is because students can register through some of the website according to the universities of their choice. Besides, internet also contain various type of social sites. We can get new friends and even meet our old friends through these social sites. Moreover, by interacting and chatting with pen pals from overseas, we can strengthen the relations between foreign countries thus enlighten us to a better community. Last but not least, internet help us to keep abreast on latest issues and developments. Students and teenagers can understand the causes and solutions based on the headlines given. This will make them aware of the danger that lurk that can cause a lot of bad effects to the environment and surroundings. In a nutshell, Electronic means of communication supposed to be very beneficial to people of all spheres if they use it wisely and effectively.

buy custom Personality Disorder essay

buy custom Personality Disorder essay To start with, personality disorder also referred to as character disorder, is a class of personality behavior types. The behavioral patterns of personality disorders are exhibited by severe behavioral disturbance especially involving situations of personality. They are pervasive, inflexible, and inflexible across diverse situations, as a result of the fact that the behavior exhibited is ego-syntotic and, therefore, taken to be relevant by the individual. It is a disorder that the individual finds himself or herself perceiving and connecting to situations and people, even including him or herself. A person suffering from personality disorder shows a character that is inflexible and has an unhealthy thought pattern and behavior. This can ultimately lead to problems with self-esteem, relationships, work, and even school. The history of personality disorders development in an individual can be traced to the early stages of adolescents and early adulthood. There are a number of personality disorders, for example, paranoid personality disorders, antisocial, narcissistic, dependent, avoidant, depressive and obsessive personality disorders amongst many others. The concept of addiction was introduced to deal with the recurrence of behaviors, emotions, moods, and cognitions. Both personality disorder and addiction are exegetic, organizing, and predictive. When the addicts show their behavior, or engage in some addictive activities, they are looking for changing their perception concerning their environment. Most of the time people with addictive disorders do well in self-deception. They do not believe that whatever they are doing is wrong, they just take it as normal. According to the Addiction-prone personality, a book by Gordon E. Barnes, says that there is a strong correlation between personality disorders and addiction, the best example for this is drug abuse. Studies done so far have indicated that people with personality problems are more prone to drug addiction. It was also found out that people who withdrew from alcohol and drug abuse, showed high chances of getting personality disorders. In this matter, the symptoms are widely substance related and will diminish with prolonged abstinence. In other individuals, the personality disorders may persist for a long period after substance abstinence. People with prolonged addiction suffer various personality disorder traits like anxiety, depression, impatient, and keeps asking for narcotics medication. Not every addict, however, has a personality disorder, and not every individual with a personality disorder has an addiction. However, much of the personality disorders have strong connection with addiction. People wh have personality disorders usually have no regard for the social norms and peoples feelings. They always do what is contrary to the law, act deceitfully, showing reckless behavior, failing to be apologetic for wrong doings and in extreme cases, suicidal. Just like addiction, an individual with borderline personality behavior have a lot of trouble maintaining or sustaining healthy relationships. Their traits include poor self-image, paranoia, impulsivity, mood swings, uncontrollable anger, and fear of abandonment. The individuals with this personality behavior usually have difficulty understanding their own identity. Fears of being abandoned may cause them to depend excessively on others. These disorders usually happen immediately one stars experiencing drug addiction and some can be portrayed when one abruptly stops using drugs. Personality disorders have strong correlation with addiction in teenagers. Clinicians have found out that there is a higher chance of addiction if the teen shows personality traits like- low self-esteem, aggressiveness, popular socially and refusing to follow authority. When these young teens get addicted, the substance starts to become more useful than anything else does. They lie about their whereabouts so that they can continue using the drug without chances of being discovered. The personality traits of easily getting offended and mood swings start getting toll on these addicts. Several investigations have been done in finding the impact of personality disorders in measuring the subsequent addiction. Research done by Pulkkinen and Patkinen(1994) shows that among 196 male children studied, addiction was followed by personality disorders like borderline and narcissistic disorders where children started suffering from high anxiety, higher aggression levels, prosociality and mood swings. Of the personality disorders, the anti-social personality disorder can be easily diagnosed and was found to be affecting almost 25% of the opioid addicts who were seeking treatment. It is, however, inaccurate to conclude that the drug-seeking trait, which was learnt during the early years of addiction, is solely responsible for the greater percentage of antisocial personality disorders among the addicts. This disorder can be easily diagnosed in a number of individuals at their young age. Anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and dementia are prevalent among the substance addicts. Members of this class are young and economically stable. They, however, respond much quickly to treatment, and the personality disorder gradually diminishes as they continue to full recovery. The co-morbidity betweeen the drug addicts and personality disorders like mental illness is a major problem and has deep implications. The clinical research shows that there is a high chance of the addict to have gross personality disorders and high level of psychopathology caused by drug abuse. It is often related with affective disorders and higher risks of suicidal behavior. A study of dual diagnosis of heroin addicts revealed that 533 heroin addicts who were treated, 86 % of them were affected by personality or psychiatric disorders. More importantly, the previous study indicated that the highest personality disorder faced by the addicts was depression (23.8%). Khantzian and Treeze (58) explained in a small sample of 133 opioid addicts, which showed that the most widespread psychiatric disorder were personality disorder (65%) and mood (60%). Recent studies in personality disorders support the merits of personality in predicting the alcohol and substance abuse risk. In a particular investigation, Kwapil (1996) studied the importance or goodness of psychosis-prone character traits and non- conformity in establishing substance abuse .Research conducted on high risk individuals has also shown that there is a high correlation between personality disorders and addiction. It was shown that an individual who had personality disorders would resort to drug abuse in order to gain relief of the problems they were undergoing. It was shown that when the addicts take part in addictive behaviors, they want to change their view to the environment. They want to make the world have a happier face, or literally put, to mask the hardship they are encountering in life. Addicts belief that drugs makes their world look brighter, fun-filled, varicolored, and hopeful (Linehan, 1993). What make personality disorders and addiction disorders to have a strong correlation, are the symptoms they portray. Just like personality disorders, a person suffering from addictive disorders has mood swings, anti social behaviors, suicidal, depressed, and full of anxiety. The reason as to why they portray such behavior is because they have a fear of being caught with the disorder. The intense feeling of isolation starts to take toll on the addicts, just like personality disorder (Frances, et al, 2011). Conclusion Overall, the eve of these addictive and personality behaviors are traced to the growth patterns of an individual and the environment in which they were brought up. It is imperative to understand that the individuals who were subjected to much physical and emotional abuse during their early periods of growth and development have high chances of developing personality disorders and eventually succumbing to drug-abuse. Buy custom Personality Disorder essay

Blogs in Language Learning Analysis Essay

Blogs in Language Learning Analysis Essay Blogs in Language Learning Analysis Essay Example Blogs in Language Learning Analysis Essay Example The present study focuses on the innovative technique of efficient and constructive language learning, namely, the use of blogs with the purpose of enhancing qualitative writing skills. The issue of concern requires not only an in-depth insight into the available secondary data and its consistent analysis, but also a fundamental, diligent and perspective primary research. The given chapter discusses the major aspects, directions and tasks of the methodology of investigation. Enhancing Students Writing through Blogs Research Paradigm The focus of the study should be actualized by the means of proper and relevant choice of the research paradigm. This choice should be justified, since otherwise, the outcomes of the investigation will be unreliable and will lack credibility. The concept of the research paradigm is defined by Taylor, Kermode and Roberts (2007) as â€Å"a broad view or perspective of something† (p. 5). Moreover, Weaver and Olson (2006) define that â€Å"paradigms are patterns of beliefs and practices that regulate inquiry within a discipline by providing lenses, frames and processes through which investigation is accomplished† (p. 460). Hence, the paradigms align both conceptual frameworks and practical guidelines which tend to direct the course of research properly and purposefully. Actually, research paradigms predetermine how the researcher envisions the world in general and the issue in question in particular (Denzin Lincoln, 2005). Therefore, the research process, its direction and stages are predetermined by the chosen research paradigm (Guba Lincoln, 2000). Patton (1990) highlights that paradigms help to break down the multidimensional structure of the world in order to comprehend it better. Denzin and Lincoln (2005) classify the main categories of the beliefs which are considered to be the core elements of the research paradigms. There are ontological, methodological and epistemological categories. The notion of ontology is aligned with the issue of reality and the comprehension of what is real and what kind of reality it is. Epistemological approach is explicated as a branch of philosophy that focuses on the essence of the acquired knowledge and aims to identify the connection between the researcher and the known data. This approach relies on the acquisition and validation of the data. Finally, the scope of methodology deals with the process of â€Å"learning†, or acquiring new knowledge. Actually, the given classification was broadened by Lincoln and Guba (2000). The scholars introduced and discussed two other categories causality and oxiology (Lincoln Guba, 2000). The field of causality is connected with the state of the nature, whereas beliefs in oxiology r efer to the scope of value. The major functions of the research paradigms in terms of investigation include the following, according to Dills and Romiszowski (1997): a) to identify of the rules and laws according to which the world is constructed; b) to learn the ways to acquire, comprehend and validate the knowledge; c) to select and justify the approaches and methods targeted to acquire the intended data; d) to construct or restructure relevant academic space for the researcher; e) to provide relevance and significance of the acquired knowledge. The research paradigm that has been selected as the most appropriate and potentially efficient one in terms of the given research is pragmatism. The pragmatic approach corresponds to my beliefs and my set of ideas about the world, knowledge and ways of acquiring it. Therefore, it has been chosen for the given study. Goldkuhl (2012) defines the concept of pragmatism in the course of the qualitative research as a phenomenon that is focused primarily on â€Å"action and change and the interplay between knowledge and action† (p. 2). Hence, it is a multidimensional and complicated approach to the constructive qualitative research. It is essential to realize that pragmatics deals with a particular activity, and not just an observation or analysis of the monitored aspects. It is important for this study, as far as it provides the investigation with credible factual data and consequent reliable outcomes. Moreover, it is crucial to align the knowledge basis with the actions and experiments in order to receive objective results, which may be, consequently, implemented in practice. Pragmatism has been chosen, the outcomes which are supported by the empirical course are to be acquired. It means that the basic drawbacks and potential perspectives of the currently studied approach will be revealed in t he course of investigation, which will give basic direction and construct the scheme of the practical implementation for the given intervention. The emergence and the initial discussion of the pragmatics as a research paradigm is connected with the names of such scholars as Peirce, James and Dewey (Goldkuhl, 2012). To be more precise, the phenomenon is referred to as the American pragmatism (Goldkuhl, 2012). Nonetheless, the overall conception of the subject of the current discussion should not be restricted to the notion of American pragmatism, but regarded as a vivid embodiment of its particularly essential notions. Therefore, the further course of pragmatic framework development involves the European and East-Asian modes of pragmatic thinking. Goldkuhl (2012) underlines the core essence of the phenomenon of society which relies on action and motion. The same approach may be applied to its structure and interrelation between its constructive elements. Hence, the actions and alterations are considered to form the basis of pragmatism. Actually, the role of the actions in terms of the currently discussed research paradigm is i ntermediary. As Goldkuhl (2012) explicates, the actions are driving forces in terms of alterations in human existence. Furthermore, the scholar emphasizes that â€Å"To perform changes in desired ways, action must be guided by purpose and knowledge. The world is thus changed through reason and action and there is an inseparable link between human knowing and human action† (Goldkuhl, 2012, p. 7). Such approach reveals the unconditional connection between the theoretical and empirical dimensions of research. More precisely, the ultimate meaning of any ides should be analyzes through the prism of practical consequences and outcomes of the given conceptual entity. The differences in theory rely on the discrepancies in terms of practice. One of the central concepts of the pragmatic research paradigm is inquiry. This notion should be regarded as the controlled experiment within which new knowledge concerning the altered conditions and terms of a particular pattern of reality is created. Cronen (2001) defines this concept as â€Å"a natural part of life aimed at improving our condition by adaptation accommodations in the world† (p. 20). Thus, the major target of inquiry is to create new knowledge â€Å"in the interest of change and improvement† (Goldkuhl, 2012, p. 8). This constructive knowledge differentiates practical interventions from simple observation. It should be appreciated that pragmatism in general and inquiry in particular provide vast space and unlimited opportunities for the construction of a set of conditions for the experimental activity. Moreover, the selected approach gives the researcher a possibility to control and augment the conditions, if necessary. It is important as far as the act ivity may result in unexpected ramifications, and, therefore, the whole study setting should be adjusted. Since the scope of pragmatics is broad, there are three main kinds of the chosen research paradigm, namely, functional, referential, and methodological approaches. Functional pragmatics centers on the constructive data, which is acquired through the course of investigation. Moreover, this approach regards knowledge as the basis of actions. Referential type of the pragmatic research positions the notion of knowledge above the significant stance of the actions, whereas methodological kind of pragmatism refers to the processes and peculiarities of knowledge acquiring. The active role of the investigator is highlighted. Such classification of the kinds of pragmatics confirms the pluralistic attitude to the research demonstrated by the adherents to the given paradigm. Hence, the given discussion supports the choice of the research paradigm, as it provides proper conditions that set a constructive experimental scenario, which is expected to result in new knowledge, both theoretical and emp irical, concerning the actual role and efficiency of blogs and language learning. Research Design Design-based research. The next stage in the methodology discussion is the identification of the research design. The notion of research design denotes the way the investigation will be conducted (Harwell, 2011). More specifically, it includes such dimensions as the way the data is collected, the choice of proper instrumental methods and techniques for this purpose, and the tools that are to be incorporated for the subsequent analysis (Harwell, 2011). The contemporary approaches to educational research reveal serious inconsistency and controversy in terms of the alignment of theory and practice (Alghamdi Li, 2013). Neuman (2007) positions the concept of theory as â€Å"a system of interconnected abstractions or ideas that condenses and organizes knowledge about the social world† (p. 24). The scholars Alghamdi and Li (2013) state that it is constructive to start a study with the theory and its profound and insightful investigation and continue the course with the implementation of the acquired outcomes. This practical activity may be either a preliminary test or an actual performance in terms of the educational process. Furthermore, one of the recent problematic issues within the educational research has been particular alienation of the focus of the study from the routine aspects of the daily teaching practice (Sari Lim, 2012). Basically, the roots of the given problem are based on the tendencies of the last decade during which the investigation course is conducted â€Å"about education†, i.e., about generalized issues, challenges and drawbacks, but not â€Å"for education†, i.e., for the actual development of new theories, interventions and innovative educational tools (Juuti Lavonen, 2006, p. 54). Therefore, more practically relevant and in-depth insights, interventions and solutions are needed at the current stage of development of the educational research. As a direct consequence of such problems the educational scope of activity faces in the recent course of time, the alternative approach is necessary. The given study incorporates design-based research, since it closely relates to the pragmatism paradigm and properly aligns practical scale with theory. The design-based approach should be comprehended as a reaction and alternative solution in terms of prevailing tendency to use inefficient traditional methods (Alghamdi Li, 2013). As a result, such research methodologies have failed to align theory with practice so that the outcomes of the studies can serve as the guidance for qualitative adjustment and improvement of the routine practices of language learning. The appropriateness and efficiency of the currently discussed research methodology is achieved due to the fact that it â€Å"combines research, design, and practice into one process, resulting in usable products that are supported by a theoretical framework† (Bowler Large, 2008, p. 39). It is crucial to highlight that the given methodology is not new, as the actual and frequent use of design-based research has started recently, namely, in 1992. Two scholars, Collins and Brown, introduced and discussed this approach in 1992 (Alghamdi Li, 2013). The key constructive elements of this methodological approach include: the investigation of complicated and miscellaneous problematic issues by positioning them in the real contexts and under typical conditions; the known is aligned with the hypothetical and united with technological peculiarities in order to construct a credible and effective solution to the identified problems; consistent and grounded reflective inquiry is expected to provide new knowledge and practical guidance in terms of the issue in concern (Alghamdi Li, 2013). Actually, the design-based methodology relies on the prior knowledge and focuses on the conception and proper comprehension of the whole situation in the context of its complexity, real learning conditions and potential circumstantial drawbacks or challenges (Barab Squire, 2004). The overall purpose of the design-based research is considered to be to â€Å"address complex problems in educational settings† (Sari Lim, 2012, p. 2). Specifically, the given methodology aims to connect the conduct of proactive educational research with the development of new paradigms and approaches for the solution to the topical and controversial educational problems (Alghamdi Li, 2013). The paradigms and theories which are expected to be the ramifications of design-based research are domain theories, design frameworks and design methodologies (Alghamdi Li, 2013). The peculiar aspect of the given approach to the educational research is its combination of some traditional, basic aspects of research with innovative and authentic methodologies. The common characteristic features between this approach and others includes the research based on the participatory actions, ethnography, and experimental activity based on the positivist philosophy (Hoadley, 2011). Nonetheless, the authentic characteristic features are more numerous and influential. Alghamdi and Li (2013) identify such fundamental aspects of the design-based research methodology as â€Å"pragmatic, grounded, contextual, interactive, integrative, and flexible† (p. 5). Due to such features, the currently discussed research approach provides constructive refinement of the data, both theoretical and empirical. Thus, the outcomes of the study are grounded and theory-driven and there is vast space for contextual alterations of the terms of experiment, while it is processing, which allow s to provide plausible and objective results (Wang Hannafin, 2005; Alghamdi Li, 2013). Moreover, the researchers are actively involved in the course of investigation and the experiment is positioned in the real-world setting (Wang Hannafin, 2005; Alghamdi Li, 2013). The design-based research is to be conducted rigorously and in strict accordance to the instructions. Every phase should be documented properly. One of the most vivid examples of how the design-based research should be conducted is enclosed in the Reeves model (2013). This model identifies four phases: the course of analysis targeted to investigate major practical problems; relevant and constructive theoretical framework is involved in order to generate a proper solution to the detected problems; the solutions are evaluated and tested in the correspondent contextual setting; â€Å"documentation and reflection to produce â€Å"design principles† is employed (Cotton, Lockyer Brickell, 2009, p. 3). The stages presented above will be considered as a background for the present study. They refer to the main steps which are needed to acquire objective and credible results. Design-based research and EFL (English as a foreign language). There are diverse constructive methodologies on the current stage of the research tools’ development, but it has been decided to incorporate the design-based approach since it has the potential to discover the most relevant, perspective and potentially efficient guidelines for the improvement of conditions of learning English as a foreign language among Omani students. Reeves and McKenney (2013) state that design-based research is appropriate for the enhancement of language learning. Moreover, it is especially preferable for computer-assisted language learning (CALL) (Reeves McKenney, 2013). Nevertheless, the scholars also highlight that aligning design-based research targets with the issues of CALL is a complicated and challenging practice. The researcher is recommended to conduct an in-depth insight into the prior knowledge and previously performed experiments as well as to construct the whole setting and research program thoroughly. Abdallah (2011) supports the stance that modern technological progress has led to the ultimate necessity to re-conceptualize and introduce innovation to the basic notions of literacy. It is especially topical in the scope of language learning. The scholar discusses â€Å"a new generation of the Web that has been enabling new functions and possibilities for learning such as social networking, easy publishing online, and collaborative construction of knowledge† (Abdallah, 2011, p. 20). As a result, blogging has become one of the most popular networking activities. Moreover, many students contribute to the blogs. Hence, this activity will not be alien or unusual for the participants. It means the course of language learning will be located in the comfortable and constructive setting. The design-based methodology is expected to improve the efficiency of the intervention due to its proactive potential that provides such excellent opportunities as: Design-based research is considered to be perfect for the â€Å"development of robust effective interventions† (Reeves McKenney, 2013, p. 4). These interventions are tested during the design-based research according to such conditions as time, specific approach, balance between theory and practice, peculiarities of presentation and tactics, etc. These aspects are crucial for the EFL learning course. The currently discussed research presents an opportunity to give an answer not only to the question â€Å"Does it work† or â€Å"Is it efficient?†, but to respond thoroughly, fundamentally and extensively to the question â€Å"How can we make this or that approach work?†. Hence, the design-based research may even result in several positive solutions for the outlined issues. EFL needs alternatives in terms of practical language learning, since different students perceive and master foreign languages in their own ways. Therefore, the teacher is expected to construct multidimensional lessons with diverse interactive activities and possibilities for every student to comprehend the learning material, acquire new knowledge and skills according to the curriculum, and become capable to incorporate them into practice. The potential of design-based methodology is also expected to result in professional growth and qualitative enhancement of competencies. Moreover, Reeves and McKenney (2013) underline that design-based research â€Å"(DBR) has the potential to provide powerful insights for educational researchers, practitioners, and all others involved in a given initiative, driven by the data that flows from the various iterative cycles of testing and modifying the intervention† (pp. 5-6). Such active and aspiring role of the researcher provides not only plausible, objective and potentially efficient outcomes, but also significant perspectives for further improvement of the EFL learning. Participants The grounded and motivated choice of participants guarantees proper and efficient outcomes of the study. It is important to outline the age, competence level and location of the participants of investigation and ensure that the necessary quantity of the students participates. In order to eliminate any potential alterations, it is recommended to form a group of 12 students who will be contacted in case current participants refuse due to the unexpected reason. Selection process The selection process will be conducted in two phases: The participants of the study consists of four classes of the 11th grade. Every class will be approached as a separate case study that will be investigated under the similar circumstances and identical targets. To be more precise, the location of investigation will be the Omani basic education schools. The four classes will belong to the 11th grade and will be chosen out of 20 schools. The participants are planned to be chosen on the random basis. Two schools of the aforementioned location will be selected randomly, and then the focus of the study will be narrowed to four classes. In the case of lack of participants for the provision of grounded and credible study, it is necessary to apply for a special permission to invite more students. Firstly, it is obligatory to apply to the Ministry of Education in Oman to receive the permission to conduct the project with such purpose, scope and scale. Secondly, it is necessary to receive a personal permission of the parents of every student. The invitations will be sent via emails and thus the list of participants will be completed. Such random selection process is relevant in the context of the investigation as far as it will contribute to the objectivity of the final outcomes. Apparently, the participants will belong to different competence levels in EFL as well as to diverse social, racial, sexual and political strata. Since the research is not narrowed to any of the aforementioned criteria, it should be objective. The 11th grade is appropriate for the given research, as it corresponds to the age group of the students who use blogs actively, have decent experience in this activity, and experience diverse thematic criteria. The above-presented research is initial and generalized. It is planned to support the final evidential data with more specific and detailed inspections. Thus, four students out of four selected classes will be chosen for the further in-depth study. Such an approach will not only provide a more thorough investigation setting, but will also will permit to align the general ramifications of the initial study of four classes with the results of profound and targeted research. The students will be required to provide a relevant study with constructive details, which is impossible when there are 60 participants. Therefore, the most significant representatives of the constituting groups will be investigated based on their capacity and overall potential. These students will be selected on the basis of representative sampling. The criterion for the representation is a particular class among four groups that the participants belong to. It means that every student will represent a separate class from the Omani basic education schools. The choice of the representatives will be made relying on two types of evaluation, namely, a questionnaire and a pre-writing test. Every class will complete them, and the results will be assessed in terms of a) written abilities of the students; b) their confidence within the technological scope; c) educational experience and English language proficiency of the participants. The chosen students should demonstrate the most significant results in terms of the aforementioned criteria. These aspects are crucial in terms of EFL learning. Since every class will be selected from a separate school and every representative student chosen for an in-depth study will belong to a particular grade, the given method of s election will be incorporated into the research course in order to ensure a representative demographic sample. As an outcome, the given approach is expected to make the way of identifying EFL in-depth learners in the 4 classes effective. Data Collection and Procedure The data collection process will last five months starting from September 2016 until January 2017. The particular classes from the Omani basic education schools will be selected on the random basis from the 11th grade. Afterwards, the conference will be conducted in order to inform the students and the teaching staff about the ultimate purpose, tasks and major expectations of the planned study. Later, four students from each class will be selected for further insightful in-depth investigation. Every student will be asked for the voluntary agreement to take part in the research which investigates the use of blogs in the enhancement of the writing skills of EFL students. This step should be documented. The consent forms will be distributed to the students and their parents will be asked to complete them. This research will be collaborative, as the teachers will help the researcher in the process of the actual project. It is a crucial step, since the teachers know their students well. They are aware of the major problems, drawbacks and challenges in terms of EFL learning. These aspects are crucial for the process of research, as the design-based research permits to unite the theoretical basis of the investigators and the contextualized practical observations of the practitioners. The data will be collected by the means of the mixed method approach. It will involve multiple sources of evidence as well as augment the strength and validity of the whole study. A considerable and versatile amount of data is planned to be used in order to respond to the research questions and fulfill the ultimate purpose of the investigation. Pre-writing test. The pre-writing test is a generalized test targeted to reveal the general writing proficiency of the participants. This test will consist of 20 questions. Each question will address crucial aspects of writing proficiency correspondent to the 11th grade. The time provided for the pre-writing test should be 45 minutes. A close-ended questionnaire. The close-ended questionnaire should be offered to every participant of the study. It will be distributed at the beginning of the first week of the writing class. The major target of the given measure is to determine the IT skills of the participants, the actual level of their ability to write on their L2, and the overall educational background. Moreover, it is important to highlight that the data that will be gathered from this initial questionnaire, along with the outcomes of the pre-writing test, will be helpful for the selection of the four representatives of each class for a further in-depth study. It is recommended that the chosen participants contribute different levels of writing skills, technology confidence, overall educational experience, and actual competence of the English language. Such diversity in the selection process will guarantee a multidimensional focus of the study, since the research that will be consequently conducted may afterward s be applied to different categories of students. It is constructive as far as every class has diversity in terms of L2 proficiency, and this discrepancy often causes problems for the teaching staff. Interviews. The four participants chosen for an in-depth study should be subsequently interviewed. The interviews are planned to be conducted three times in the course of actual research, namely, at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the investigation. The ultimate aim of the first interview is the establishment of the general context of the study. There will be ten guiding questions (Seidman, 1998). The second interview will permit the chosen participants to provide comments, detailed responses, description and reflection upon the whole experience of blogging in the writing class. Finally, the third interview is constructed to unite practice and theory in order to acquire objective outcomes. To be more precise, the participants will be given an opportunity to read texts. The readings will be chosen according to the results of the previous interviews and an approximately accessed level of every participant. Nonetheless, every level will be elaborate according to its poten tial. Furthermore, the readings will be followed by the open-ended questions aimed to provide more insight in terms of the overall experience and the meaning of this experience (Seiddman, 1999). The questions will be molded in a semi-structured form. They will include many topics, issues and prompts in order to encourage the interviewees to develop their responses well. Wallace (1998) suggests a constructive vision for such interview: it is necessary to unite â€Å"a certain degree of control with a certain amount of freedom† (p. 147). The responses of the participants will be recorded. Undoubtedly, such documentation is possible only after the parents’ permission. The cyclical nature of design-based research due to the availability of significant reflection provides an excellent opportunity to inform an action at each stage of the research. Such approach will ensure that data collection and analysis are constructive and ongoing processes. The aforementioned interviews are planned to be instructive, which means that every aspect will be discussed. The outcomes are expected to improve the use of blogs, since appropriate changes may be consequently applied. Introducing the students’ blog. Campbell (2003) identifies and discusses three different types of blogs which are used in the classrooms. More specifically, they include a tutor blog, a learner blog and a class blog (Campbell, 2003). Every type of blog has its proper purpose, function and expected impact on the learners’ efficiency in the course of learning. The currently presented research will use class blogs. Campbell (2003) defines this type of blogging activity as â€Å"the result of the collaborative effort of an entire class†. The students will be asked to set up their own pages in the class blog. Every page should be linked to the particular name. In such a way, it is easy for the researchers as well as other students to identify the author of every post. Furthermore, the students will be encouraged to use blogs for writing activities during classes. Thus, both class and home-based activities should be properly aligned. The study will incorporate the model for student interaction with the help of blogs developed by Campbell (2003), as shown in Figure 1. The participants of the investigation will be asked to use their blogs for several writing tasks simultaneously in order to contribute to the objectivity of the study. Thus, the tasks will include such activities as a) peer response; b) editing; c) revision; d) publishing; e) and writing as the core assignment. All the assignments will reveal peculiar aspects of the currently discussed online learning activity and will specify its core elements. Such multidimensional and interactive nature of the design-based research will help the teaching staff introduce the students to intervention, which is blogging experience targeted to enhance their writing skills. Moreover, it will motivate the students to participate, since they adore such online activities. As a result, this approach is expected to help the researchers keep the course of necessary and relevant alterations during the study. Furthermore, the investigators will become capable of providing continuous and constructive improvements to the research process as well as making necessary changes to the teaching practices and goals in case particular needs arise. Finally, the selected intervention guarantees excellent opportunities for proper critical reflections concerning the final outcomes of the researchers’ actions. Blogging Interaction Model Blog entries In order to maximize the overall usefulness of the blogs, which will eventually lead to the final results and newly acquired data concerning the research question, it is necessary to evaluate the complex and multidimensional tasks the students will be asked to perform. It is especially essential to assess the students’ responses to the use of weblog in their writing classes. For instance, every participant will be asked to post an article on a weekly basis. This article should cover the topics which have been discussed in class. Similar topics may be used by several students, but authenticity is strictly demanded. No group projects should be allowed at this stage of the study. Moreover, the participants will be asked to read their colleagues’ posts and comment on them. Furthermore, it is relevant to underline that the rhetorical functions of the students will positively contribute to the crucial aspects of particular learning strategies and EFL writing strategies in particular. Moreover, other documents should be collected from the students, except for their blog entries, such as writing assignments, critiques which will be acquired during the face-to-face conversations, peer interview sessions, drafts, and writing portfolios. Blogging will be used as illustrated in Figure 2 by Jones, 2006, for the following writing interventions: peer responding, editing, revising and publishing. Teacher’s journal This document is needed to keep a record of the actual teaching experience that will be acquired during the active learning intervention. It is crucial for the teaching staff to record the progress between the levels and identify students’ potential. The teacher’s journal should include ideas and thoughts, pedagogical experiences, feelings and emotional states, changes, mistakes, successful completion of tasks, fear or hesitation accompanying the conducted work, surprises and confusions (Merrian, 1998). Moreover, it will contribute to the overall pedagogical proficiency. The teacher’s journal will reflect on the process of applying blogs to the EFL writing classes and their effects, both short-term and long-term. These interventions should match the needs, interests and the development levels of the students. Furthermore, this methodology will help instructors of other disciplines to adapt and follow the general scheme of incorporating blogs into the curriculum. As a result, this journal will reveal a sequence of difficulties and drawbacks that the participants may face. Students’ reflective journals. Students should also maintain their reflective journals during semester. Every period will be reflected by the means of responses to the guiding questions. The preliminary list of the main questions was developed: Describe your thoughts/feeling and mood when you start your writing class? Describe your writing class today. You may talk about any difficulties/challenges/feelings (negative or positive) or any other thoughts you have struggled with during your writing tasks? Describe the class atmosphere today, the relationship between you and your teacher, and the relationship between you and your colleagues in the class. Post-test The final step of the course will be a writing test. This test will include the major topics and grammar aspects covered during the whole course. The purpose of the given test is to compare the four chosen classes in terms of their writing performance and the progress they have made due to the course. Especially, the effect of the chosen intervention of blogging practice will be addressed. Data Analysis A mixed method approach will be used for data collection in order to guarantee proper and relevant data subdivision into the following types: Qualitative data; Quantitative data. It is crucial to analyze each type of data properly. The quantitative type of data should be analyzed in terms of final results and their reflection of the progress made, whereas qualitative data requires a more profound analysis, comparison and further monitoring. Assuring Credibility of the Study The credibility of the study will be provided by the following aspects: Using a debriefed group of doctoral candidates. Such an approach guarantees academic excellence and reliability; Verification of the contents of the data that has been collected; Surveying the back-up group concerning the major aspects of the study and comparing the results. The aforementioned steps provide solid basis for assuring credibility as far as competent human resources are involved in this process, and the approach to the assuring of credibility is constructive. Ethical Considerations Ethical considerations are the major milestones of the formal side of the study. One of the most important points in terms of ethics is responsibility of the researchers. To be more precise, the consideration of responsibility should be regarded on the multiple levels such as relations with colleagues, students and professionally relevant establishments. â€Å"Ethics education can enable scientists to place their positions into a logical framework from which they can look for consistent approaches to related problems.† (Stern Elliott, 1997). Moreover, the study guarantees confidentiality of the participants’ personal data. It is important to make an emphasis on this particular aspect during the conference in order to highlight the serious scientific approach the researchers follow during their investigation. Along with such, the whole research will be conducted on the voluntary basis, and thus permissions and consents will be provided and documented. Every stage of the study should be discussed beforehand and orient on the parents of the students. Therefore, the study will not interfere with personal and human rights of the participants. Respect for these freedom and rights demonstrate the level of proficiency of the work done. Limitations of the Study It is also essential to form the supportive list of 12 potential participants who will be involved in the case of unpredictable changes. The list will be formed either relying on the personal data of the attendants of the conference, or via the emails provided by the schools’ authorities, as described above. Moreover, it is appropriate to underline the limitation caused by time constraints and potential participant deviation. Furthermore, the possibility of generalization is also a crucial limitation when the outcomes of the study are transferred to another similar context (Lincoln Guba, 1985). Time constraint does not provide a possibility to investigate a big quantity of the participants during a long time period in order to verify the preliminary research outcomes. Furthermore, generalization may become a direct reason of lack of meaningful details and supportive aspects of the whole experience of using blogs at the classroom. The Strengths of the Study According to Shenton, â€Å"the qualitative investigator’s equivalent concept, i.e. credibility, deals with the question, â€Å"How congruent are the findings with reality?† Lincoln and Guba argue that ensuring credibility is one of most important factors in establishing trustworthiness† (Shenton, 2004). The study contributes to the fields of linguistics, methodology and the contextual development of IT. Moreover, the sample approach to learning that has been developed and tested in terms of this study may be successfully adjusted and used in other disciplines. Hence, the congruence of the study is high, especially in terms of the EFL learning, is significant. The reason is the course of linguistic study and perspectives for the given context. Therefore, the reliability and credibility of the results is considered to be the most significant strength of the study. Moreover, it is a multidimensional academic experience that unites innovation and profound knowledge.

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Coping With School Violence essays Violence is definitely a major problem in our school systems today. Establishing guidelines and observation by educational staff and parents cannot only deter violence but also prevent it. Noticing the early warning signs in a childs behavior is the key to observance. As adults, we have a responsibility to protect our children. Whether the violence has to do with typical shoving, name calling, or weapons; school violence is getting out of control. Consider these grave statistics: 160,000 children nationwide ditch school daily in fear of violence, every day 100,000 take guns to school, and 6,250 teachers are threatened daily and 260 are assaulted, and an estimated 14,000 children are attacked on school property every day Washington Education Association. Preventing Online. (p.2).14 Nov. 2004 When parents begin to worry about their childrens safety at school, it should flag us that there definitely is a problem. School violence is a major issue and begins to grow bigger each year. Each time there is an occurrence, more children are afraid to go to school. Every child has a right to an education in a safe and secure environment, and violence in our nations schools threatens that right. This is a sign that something has to be done. Since the late 90s, shootings and other random acts of violence have grown significantly in our nations schools. On the 2nd day of February 1996, Barry Loukaitis from Moses Lake, Washington opened fire in his Algebra class killing two students and a teacher. There was yet another shooting in the same month that took place on February 19th, 1996 in Bethel, Alaska killing the principal and a student. Three more shootings took place in 1997, including the shooting in Pearl, Mississippi on October ...

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Project Life Cycle - Essay Example During this stage a suitable response to the problem is documented in a business case alongside recommendations that detail solution alternatives. Feasibility study comes handy to examine if each alternative addresses objectives of the project before making the final recommendation. In the feasibility the team asks the question â€Å"can we do the project?†And in justification the question â€Å"should we do the project?† is asked. Planning is the next stage that serves to further develop the project solution. Here, the team makes a detail study of the work as it identifies the project steps and resource requirements and at the same time come up with a working strategy to help meet the set goals. To accomplish this, the team comes up with an outline of the tasks, activities, dependencies and timeframes. It is this point where the project manager develops the project budget to help control and monitor expenditure during implementation stage. Together all this is referred to as the scope management.The other important consideration is risk management, an aspect which looks into matters that pose possible threats to the whole process. Here, â€Å"high-threat† potential problems are established along with the measures that are to be taken (Kanda, 2011). Finally, the project manager documents a quality plan; detailing on quality targets, control measures, and assurance alongside an acceptance plan. During this third stage, the project plan is set on motion to carry out the task of the project as the team monitors the progress and make necessary adjustments, which are also recorded as variations from the original plan. In addition, this stage involves reporting on progress through regular team meetings. The information gathered here helps to maintain control over the path taken by the project through analysis of activities performance when comparing the output to the project plan. . Status reports delivered in

Clothing adaptation vs. weather and body Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Clothing adaptation vs. weather and body - Essay Example The company has to strategize on the cheapest mode in which the materials get transported from the supplier. The company should also seek to diversify its resource use to make the very best from the material inputs. Such diversification may fall under designing subsidiary industry where by-products may be of value (Lewis 23). Competition is healthy for a company in a business environment. Within the same industry, No Forecast faces the problem of competing with other major companies. To compete efficiently, No Forecast should give out sample products to the consumer. Sample products help in familiarizing the products with the consumers. There is also the importance of an aggressive advertisement. The advertisement should be affordable and should cover a wide geographical area. Channels of advertisement have to reach as many people as possible. For instance, the company may resolve to use the internet to sell its products. The product has to be of higher standard and consumer friendly. Customers should feel proud by identifying with the No Forecast apparel (Lewis 45). For the brand to be popular, No Forecast can venture with a famous company so as to identify with the product. Selling the product by venture increases its chances of reaching the market faster. It should also aim at participating in the corporate social responsibility. Company’s brand has to stand out from its competitor. No Forecast should focus in distributing the product in different market spheres, especially those having greater purchasing power (Lewis 53). For buying of the company by another company, it has to be attractive and profitable. The company’s profile has to align with its visions and objectives. It has to be the best place that investors are comfortable doing business. The company has to maintain competitive strategies in reaching its goals. Employees have to be at the forefront in making the company a better place. The management should focus on the

Project Life Cycle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Project Life Cycle - Essay Example During this stage a suitable response to the problem is documented in a business case alongside recommendations that detail solution alternatives. Feasibility study comes handy to examine if each alternative addresses objectives of the project before making the final recommendation. In the feasibility the team asks the question â€Å"can we do the project?†And in justification the question â€Å"should we do the project?† is asked. Planning is the next stage that serves to further develop the project solution. Here, the team makes a detail study of the work as it identifies the project steps and resource requirements and at the same time come up with a working strategy to help meet the set goals. To accomplish this, the team comes up with an outline of the tasks, activities, dependencies and timeframes. It is this point where the project manager develops the project budget to help control and monitor expenditure during implementation stage. Together all this is referred to as the scope management.The other important consideration is risk management, an aspect which looks into matters that pose possible threats to the whole process. Here, â€Å"high-threat† potential problems are established along with the measures that are to be taken (Kanda, 2011). Finally, the project manager documents a quality plan; detailing on quality targets, control measures, and assurance alongside an acceptance plan. During this third stage, the project plan is set on motion to carry out the task of the project as the team monitors the progress and make necessary adjustments, which are also recorded as variations from the original plan. In addition, this stage involves reporting on progress through regular team meetings. The information gathered here helps to maintain control over the path taken by the project through analysis of activities performance when comparing the output to the project plan. . Status reports delivered in

Personal Reflection on Early Childhood Development Essay

Personal Reflection on Early Childhood Development - Essay Example The development center I chose to observe and participate in was CB and in the following paragraphs is a breakdown of what this facility does and the theories of child development it promotes. CB is a non-profit organization which was established to provide services for families affiliated with the cancer center. The methods that this organization demonstrates very much coincide with two different theories, these being Erickson's and Piaget's approaches within the belief system of child development. It provides a very supportive, nurturing environment so individual personalities of each child can blossom forth. The developmental need of the 'whole child' is the priority of CB while at the same time responding to each families needs. The philosophy of CB is one that wants to promote personal self expression so that every child will be able to accentuate on their own potential, self worth, confidence, interests, and also have a complete sense of joy and fulfillment while in the early learning processes. There are three systematic steps associated with the program at CB and the details that have been observed are in the following bulleted outline. Learning Process the setting for cognitive development at CB is structured to a homelike atmosphere. This promotes comfortability and trust so that the children feel free to immerse themselves in the learning experience Developmental Awareness CB works wholeheartedly to match each child's progressing abilities through child and teacher interaction, though the child is allowed to decide what type of activity will be involved Developmental Goals The development goals are the key essentials of CB in order to provide a secure and sound foundation filled with a myriad of opportunities for children to grow and develop to get positive reinforcements for great achievements within the future There is various information about the program and during my tour and by personal observations; I noticed a monthly newsletter is available as well as information about different staff members in the form of essays. Also, I gathered information as to the sites fee's, enrollment, and age groups of acceptance. The fee is based on a sliding scale so it proves to be beneficial to working class families in the financial aspectual areas. As far as age groups, CB accepts six weeks of age up to kindergarten, and currently has an enrollment of 150 children, including infants. Many families search for programs for their children where they are guaranteed the employee's have the credentials necessary to properly care for their children. CB insures this as all 45 of their employee's have some form of expertise in early childhood development. Also, CB urges its employee's to become actively involved in the workshops that are available on a monthly basis to further their current knowledge. Those without a CDA (Child Development Associate Degree) go through precisive staff training. As aforementioned, CB follows closely in the footsteps of cognitive theorists such as Piaget and Erickson. The CB structure promotes active exploration through interaction with adults and other materials. It is a fact that the stage involving the development of sensorimotor is one of the most detrimental because

Why Do People Lie Essay Example for Free

Why Do People Lie Essay 1. To hide information Anything or any relationship that can be labeled comes with a set of expectations. Whether you are a teacher, student, husband, wife, CEO, manager, son, daughter, friend and so forth, anyone at all, living in the society, you are expected to behave in a certain manner. When you traverse the boundaries, you are suddenly out there in the open, unprotected and vulnerable. You have to protect yourself now, you have to safeguard the expectations and save your relationship. If you hide the information, if no one gets to know you crossed the line, if you are perceived to be within the bounds, treading only the thoroughfare, you continue to be a functional artefact of the social apparatus. It leads to a temporary sense of peace, a sense of match, of fitting in the society. You just bought yourself time, you did not have to put up with the arguments that might have taken place had you shared the truth. You did not have to hurt the sentiments or trust of the other person by covering up your truth. This is the foremost cause of lying. People lie because they want to avoid confrontation and conflict. Lying becomes the easier route. 2. A matter of habit Often pursuing the first one, that is, hiding information, one gets into the habit of lying. When you repeatedly do the same thing over and over again, it becomes your habit. Perfection, carelessness, lack of detail or attention to detail etcetera are all habits as are telling the truth and lying. The habit of lying is formed, like many other habits, right from the childhood. Why? It must trace back to certain incidents during their early years or the atmosphere at home where speaking truth mostly ended up in an unpleasant conflict and undue scolding. When parents start to behave like kids too, it gives their children a strong reason to lie. By lying, they feel safe. However, this becomes their habit, their coping mechanism, their strategy to put up with all undesirable situations later on in their own lives. Unfortunate. It is incredibly hard to break the habit of lying. Like many other habits of smoking, drinking, punctuality and so on, children also pick up lying from their parents, other elders and peers. If you lie frequently, do not be harsh on your children expecting them to tell the truth. They will not follow what you tell them to do, they will follow what you do yourself. In other words, they do not learn from your instructions but actions. If this is how they see you living, it is but natural that they will follow suit. When lying becomes a habit, it leads to one of the two outcomes, and both are not mutually exclusive: the liar becomes fidgety with a wavering mind, or, they become aggressive with a depressed mind. Constant lying puts a tremendous burden on them to remember, to protect information, to bear the load of false information, to live the false identity. Over time, impatience, aggression, withdrawal, artificiality, depression, self doubt, low self-esteem, insecurity and the rest find a permanent home in the mind of a liar. 3. To gain attention This third reason comes with a powerful revelation. It can help one gain attention, respect, power. When someone lies to you about an incident where he was the only witness, he now has access to information that no one else does. He has just created a new truth. Exclusive information naturally leads to greater power and more attention. It was not just greed that triggered the greatest corporate scandals in the world, it was also about an inherent, an innate, an obtuse sense of gaining more power and control. I remember reading stories of a certain hunter during my childhood. This hunter would come to the village and make up stories on how he gallantly killed a lion with his fists alone, or courageously wasted a bear with just a small knife and so forth. All the villagers would gather around him to listen to his fascinating, if not fantastical, accounts of valor and bravery. He got attention and respect. If this formula works for the liar, he continues to lie till eternity. There are some who live a life of lies, there are many who justify their lies, it is even possible for some to protect their lies, however, it comes at the cost of their inner peace. They may not lose relationships or respect, they will, sooner or later, be robbed of their inner peace, however. So, if you want your partner, your child, or your friend to tell you the truth, if that is important to you, you had better encourage an atmosphere conducive to truth. If you are going to pounce upon hearing a confession, that may well be the last time you will ever hear a truthful version. It is for this reason, forgiveness is considered a divine virtue. Because by forgiving not only are you strengthening yourself and your relationship but also making a difference to the life of the other person and subsequent generations. Next time you feel like reacting to someones lie, just take a moment and look within you. A realization may dawn and you may find it easy to forgive the other person. On the other hand, if you are the one telling lies, just remember the price is paid in peace and bliss. Truth is bold by nature, and lie, arrogant. The former instills courage, the latter, fear. Truth stems from inner strength, and lie, from the inability to gain such strength.

The Point Of View Of Stories

The Point Of View Of Stories The two short stories chosen ,The Gift of the Magi and The Lottery,written by Shirley Jackson, both have different points of views. They are both narrated in first-person narration which affects our response to what we read as the narrator doesnt look into the minds of its characters which leave the reader only seeing the situation through ones eyes. In The Gift of the Magi we see everything through the eyes of Della, however in the second essayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. Short story The Gift of the Magi, by O. Henry, is a narrative piece about a young married couple, Della and Jim, who have very little money. Jim had suffered a pay cut, therefore the two have to work hard for everything for their earnings. On the day before Christmas, Della counted the money she had saved for months. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. Sadly, after a good long cry, she is determined to find a way to buy Jim the present he deserves for Christmas. Jim and Della have two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One is Jims gold watch, which has been passed to him from his grandfather. The other is Dellas lustrous hair falling down almost past her knees. As Della passes by a sign and reads: Mme. Sofronie. Hair Goods of All Kinds, she goes in to whom she sells her hair for twenty dollars. With that money, she tries to find something worthy of Jim, and in which she did, a platinum watch chain. O. Henry accomplishes several techniques in The Gift of the Magi that are representative to most of his other short stories. The story seems to be third person narrated. It is told in the third-person, and only follows Dellas perspective. We dont see what Jim is doing during the story, and once he does show up, he remains closed to us. Although the story focuses on Dellas point of view, is also shows us as the reader what she sees. It is like the narrator is in the story as a character that is just heard of, but never seen. By O. Henry doing this, it engages us and shares our insight thoughts on the Youngs situation. He uses a laid-back sort of expression such as took a mighty pride and breaks his story with a humorous tone such as forget the hashed metaphor. Della explains to Jim that in order for her to buy him his present she needed to sell her hair. Jim found it difficult to understand the situation but Della didnt understand why. He then takes from his pocket Dellas Christmas present, in which she opens it and finds a set of combs for her hair, which she had been admiring in a store window for a long time. Finally she understands why her husband was so shocked. They exchange their Christmas gifts; however, Jim does not pull out his watch to fit to the chain, as he had to sell his watch in order to buy Dellas combs. Both Della and Jim foolishly sacrifice their gifts and this is why they were called their most precious possessions. As in this story, O. Henry started of by introducing the first character Della telling details about setting that hint at plot. In the first paragraph, he opened it up by introducing Della and her money problem. He mentions her decisions that create a more strongly constructed plot which moves from introducing the story on to the surprise ending. The point of view of this short story does not exactly affect our response to what we have read. Well not mine anyway. If the story was written in another point of view, it would not make it as good as it already is as it would be focusing more on what is happening else where rather then showing us the love shared between two young adults whose gifts were given by the heart. They were wise and They are the magi. In the second story, The Lottery is written by Shirley Jackson. Its opening sequence is on a warm Junes day in a tradition town that is common among its nearby villages. In the story we come across some children, which arrive in the town and connect in boisterous play. Some of the boys create a great pile of stones in one corner of the square. The setting in The Lottery was described as relaxing and peaceful, as children were playing and adults were talking about day to day situations. This showed a happy setting distinction with the wild idea of the reality with the lottery. Jackson uses a narrative technique, where she tells the events in the story, which is de described as detached and objective  [1]  . The tone of the narrative helps us to recognise the originality of the barbaric acts that are caused amongst it. Shirley Jacksons The Lottery uses the third person point of view to tell a story about a village that celebrates a yearly event. The narrator provides us with minor details of a lottery taking place, but what interests us the most is that she leaves the most important details until the end, which leaves us hanging with thoughts and questions. The use of the third person point of view is a good way of telling this short story because it helps put together the surprise that happens in the end by hinting out bits of information to the reader through the actions and discussions of the villagers without giving away the final twist.

A Cuban Reading of Psalm 137 :: Cuba Religion Bible Christianity Essays

A Cuban Reading of Psalm 137 There are two Cubas. On the Island are revolutionaries crusading to construct a Cuba that combats any attempt to subjugate her spirit to the US hegemony. On the (main)land are the modernists who look toward the United States as the guide and hope for revitalizing a Post-Castro Cuba. Consequently, the Cuban community is divided into two antagonistic camps: Resident Cubans living under Castro's Marxist regime, and Exilic Cubans living under a global capitalist system. Due to these political and economic differences, we Cubans are a people divided against ourselves. This division creates a unique space in how we read the Bible differently than the rest of Latin America or other U.S. Hispanic groups. Theologians operating from a liberationalist perspective focus on Exodus as a source of hope for their existential situation. The story of a God who hears the cries of the oppressed and personally leads them toward liberation is a powerful motif. However, Exodus is not the rubric from which we Exilic Cubans read the scriptures. It is the second exodus, narrating the Babylonian Captivity, that resonates within our very being. Like the Psalmist of 137 we sit by the streams of this country, singing about our inability to sing God's songs. †¢ BESIDE THE MIAMI RIVER WE SAT AND WEPT AT THE MEMORY OF LA HABANA LEAVING OUR CONGA DRUMS BY THE PALM TREES. In la sagà ¼esera (Southwest Miami), on Calle Ocho (Eighth Street), is a restaurant called Versailles, dubbed El palacio de los Espejos (The mirrored palace). What makes this restaurant unique are the mirrored walls. Sitting at the table in the crowded salon, I constantly see myself reflected on one of many heavily-gilded mirrors. As we Exilic Cubans look in the mirrors surrounding us, we are in fact searching for our ontological origin. Not so much what we are, but what we see ourselves as being. Versailles serves as a vivid illustration to Lacan's theory of the Mirror Stage. Lacan, the postmodern psychoanalyst, maintains that while I look at myself in the mirror, I assume that what I see is a reflection of a self ─ a secondary reflection faithful (more or less) to the likeness of an existing original self. Lacan would propose the opposite, that the image in the mirror is what constructs the self. My encounter with the mirror literally reverses the direction, and serves the function of forming my "I.